Tribute to Gary Speed - An Unsung Hero.

Not many things shock you in the world nowadays but this morning's news announcing the death of Gary Speed has done just that. Numb is how we feel and the waste of a life which had many good times ahead it seems.

His time at our beloved Newcastle United on reflection was top quality and i consider him to be the most underrated player we've ever had as he didn't get that many plaudits due to the exploits of our record goalscorer, Alan Shearer as well as other players that were here, who stole the headlines for different reasons but Gary Speed continued producing the goods. He completed his career here playing 285 games and scoring 40 goals. He played a part in many other goals with his movement and his perfect timing.

Players come and go in life but the amount of tributes already shared in the media, show how much respect people have for him.

ToTT remembers him also and here is a selection of comments from the forum:

The Corner - 'just heard on radio 5... can't believe it.... rip gary'

Mr Toon - 'devastating news RIP gary'

Notts Mag - 'RIP, one of my favourite NUFC players.'

Roman History Fan - 'HOW, FFS ?

lovely bloke, a legend at NUFC'

Caramel Blks - 'Rip Gary - one of the last gentlemen that were left in the game.'

TNMW - 'Black armbands next week. R.I.P.'

Dirty Mackem Scum - 'Gutted tbh........'

Ronald Geremi - 'Very very sad'

Toon Demon - 'Aye, still in the prime of his life and beginning to show a good aptidude for management. A great servant for us in the days of sir bobby.

The Pikey - 'RIP Gary, one of our best midfielders last 20 years and true gent.'

Poisoned Monkey - 'Totally shocked.

Not only a top player but having met him through work a few times he was a genuine proper top bloke.'

DS49A7Y - 'Gutted '

Taff on Tyne - 'Terrible news, total shock. True professional. RIP Gary Speed, what a waste of a life.'

SHV - 'Fantastic player and person. Thoughts are with his family.'

Westwood the Pirate - 'R.I.P Gary. You will be missed. '

Mankind72 - 'RIP Gary.'

Peteindatoon - 'R I P Gary, devastating news. Totally shocked.'

Rexn - 'Thoughts have to go to his family at such a tragic time. If only he had been aware of how valued he has been and still is. His 2 sons have every reason to be proud of their dad. How heartbreaking!'

SteekieBrown - 'Shocking news, couldn't believe that on the radio. Looked fantastic and fit on football focus yesterday.'

Platini - 'Totally shocked. Has to be one of the nicest footballers ever. Total respect in the game for him.'

Vin1892 - 'Saw him when they use to train at Durham Cricket Club and he was an absolute gent and a credit to our football club.'

CarloVendetta - 'My mate's wife met him with her son, she's a Bolton lass, he went over and above most footballers I've ever met, chatted for fifteen minutes and was actively interested in her son, his school and his interests apparently.'

Cameron NUFC - 'speed was my favourite player for a while at newcastle, loved watching him play, absolute legend and i'm genuinely gutted.'

kevin - 'heartbreaking loss,such a respected man.RIP'

El Toro - 'I just cannot believe it, he was one of my favorite players for Newcastle and always came across as a decent bloke'

Ozzi - 'He was consistent and reliable on the football field but more importantly like what has been said previously, a very decent man.'

Your Comments (oldest first)

From a Yid. simply don't understand and was shocked also. He was one of the few guys in football who was still universally loved and respected. He was breaking boundaries of achievement in his new role as Wales manager and seemed to have the world at his feet. So WHY??? genuinely shocked and sadend

following the horses mouth from spurs vital. Gary Speed was a genuine footballing man, good guy and absolutely respected by all. In an era where we question if players still understand the fans there is no doubt Gary Speed was one of us. Was looking forward to what could have been for the Welsh side, but this boils into insignificance now. My first though was the good die young. Don't know the full facts but if anything can come out of this tradegy lets hope its a better understanding of mental illness and that there should be no shame or stigma in getting help. Few of us would have picked Gary Speed to have such troubles but he was as human as any of us

I'll happily speak as another member of Vital Spurs, and I have to echo the shouts of "WHY"?? Just so random & out of the blue. As far as anybody was aware, he was of clean character, and had a genuine love for the game and for life. Then out of the blue, we get this unbelievable news. I can't emphasise enough how much I feel for his family, his friends, and anybody else who was lucky enough to know or be associated with what appeared to be a rare 'true gent' within the game of football.

I almost feel overwhelmed with sadness. I don't know why. I think it's because Gary Speed was so young and in my eyes was the type of guy you look up to. So sad under the circumstances his death came. RIP. Ash Spurs.

Another yid here, just put things in perspective, such a great bloke who I was lucky enough to meet, not arrogant at all and found time to speak to everyone - the game of football is poorer today. RIP, legend.

In recent months I have found myself less interested than normal in getting to a game or catching one on the tv. On reflection, I put it down to reading about the recent Tevez affair, which exemplified all that was bad about the game - greed, deceit, extreme player power, contempt for club and supporters, lack of respect for the manager, unscupulous agent, etc. With the sad news today, I can't help but draw the contrast with Gary Speed. Whilst Gary dies alone in anguish, Tevez is rubbing his hands at the thought of a big signing-on fee and salary with Milan. I wish Tevez no malice, but doesn't life suck?

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